NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Peter O’Toole retires from show business

LOS ANGELES

Peter O’Toole is retiring from show business, saying he no longer has the heart for it and that it’s time to “chuck in the sponge.”

O’Toole, who turns 80 on Aug. 2, said in a statement Tuesday that his career on stage and screen fulfilled him emotionally and financially.

But the eight-time Oscar nominee says the time is right to quit and that he’s bidding the actor’s life a dry-eyed farewell.

O’Toole shot to screen stardom 50 years ago in the title role of “Lawrence of Arabia,” which brought him his first Oscar nomination. Among actors, he has the record for Oscar futility, never winning on any of his eight nominations.

He received an honorary Oscar in 2003, though.

‘Social Network’ team to adapt ‘Fifty Shades’

LOS ANGELES

The producers of “The Social Network” are producing the film adaption of the best-selling erotic trilogy “Fifty Shades of Grey.”

Universal Pictures and Focus Features said in a joint statement Monday that Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti will reteam for the adaptation of the best-selling novels by E. L. James.

The multimillion-selling books tell the story of an unworldly college student engaging in an unusual romantic relationship with a rich young businessman.

Judge tosses suit from party crasher

FRONT ROYAL, Va.

A Virginia judge has dismissed White House party crasher Tareq Salahi’s $50 million lawsuit against the rock musician who ran off with Salahi’s wife.

Salahi accused Journey guitarist Neal Schon and two affiliated entertainment companies of scheming to break up his marriage and capitalize on the split for business purposes.

The Northern Virginia Daily reports that Warren County Circuit Judge Dennis Hupp ruled Monday that Salahi’s claims would be more appropriately addressed in divorce proceedings.

Salahi said he intends to appeal.

The Salahis gained notoriety in 2009 when the crashed a White House state dinner. The stunt prompted concern about the Secret Service’s effectiveness.

Alicia Keys’ nonprofit to honor Winfrey

NEW YORK

Oprah Winfrey is getting a tribute from Alicia Keys.

Keys announced Tuesday that her organization Keep a Child Alive will honor Winfrey at its Black Ball event Nov. 1.

Key says that the media mogul is “a personal inspiration to me because her philanthropic work truly comes from the heart.”

Winfrey’s humanitarian efforts include the building of schools in South Africa.

Keep a Child Alive was founded in 2003 and assists HIV/AIDS victims in Africa and India. Keys says this year’s Black Ball will pay “special tribute to the empowerment of women — the heartbeat, soul, and backbone of the AIDS movement.”

The ninth annual event takes place at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom.

‘Jersey Shore’ cast finishes 6th season

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J.

A group hug signaled the end of filming for the sixth season of MTV’s “Jersey Shore” reality series.

The cast gathered outside their Seaside Heights home and hugged as the July Fourth holiday week celebration came to end.

Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Jenny “JWoww” Farley, Deena Nicole Cortese, Vinny Guadagnino, Paul “Pauly D” DelVecchio, Samantha Giancola and Ronnie Ortiz-Magro then loaded their luggage and drove off.

Vindicator wire reports